They had caught her in the act. The act of adultery, which was punishable by death.

There was  no concern for the woman, who remains nameless. They were only attempting to trap Jesus in a theological debate. They gave no thought to the woman. Their only thought was to prove Jesus wrong.

The group of men were teachers of religious law. Well respected men.

They used this woman, who was probably already used more times than she could count. She was probably used up.

Now she was the bait, the means by which to entrap Jesus. Their only interest in her was to get Him. They gave no thought to her life, her shame, her sin being paraded publicly.

Bringing her to Jesus, they throw her down at His feet, demanding an answer to their question, “What should we do with her?”

Jesus stoops to write in the dust, stood up and replies, “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone.” One by one, they slip away because none were blameless. Looking up, Jesus asks the question …

“Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one condemn you?” (John 8:10, NLT)

This woman, used and mistreated her entire life, now met someone more interested in rescuing her rather than condemning her. Before her was a man looking to forgive her.

Faultless is thought of as being without flaw; being perfect. In that moment, Jesus was extending to this woman the means by which she could be faultless. And it is the same He does for each of us who come to Him …

“When He shall come with trumpet sound
Oh, may I then in Him be found
Clothed in His righteousness alone
Faultless to stand before the throne.”

(My Hope is Build on Nothing Less, as found in the Lutheran Hymnal)

Sure she was guilty. She knew it. They knew it. Everyone knew it.
Jesus knew it.
But Jesus provides hope for every sinful soul.

This is Day 28 of 31 Questions Jesus Asked. You can find the entire series here.

Today I am joining … Tell His Story and Three Word Wednesday and Wedded Wednesday and Women With Intention .